High School Program Guidelines
These guidelines have been created and approved through the High School Gathering’s Meeting for Worship with Concern for Business. Each year, we review the guidelines to insure that they still serve the purpose of helping us to create community and keep each other safe. We have found through experience that behavior contrary to these guidelines can lead to hurt feelings, fractured community, and physical harm. Certain guidelines are all-Gathering policy and therefore cannot be changed, but if the Business Meeting determines that certain HS-only guidelines no longer serve our purpose, they may be changed.
1. In general, each participant is expected to treat all persons at the Gathering with respect, and to respect the property of Friends and of the University.
Reason: Self explanatory.
2. No illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages. This is not only a High School Program guideline but a Gathering policy as well.
Reason: Apart from the obvious legal implications, use of mind-altering drugs undermines the purpose of the community. It can lead to disruptive behavior and reduced ability to participate in the program.
3. High School participants will refrain from sexual activity during the Gathering.
Reason: This is dictated by the purpose of the Gathering: to create a spiritual community. It is also a commitment made to the larger Gathering and to parents to observe for the conditions upon which they support the High School Gathering.
The intensity of relationships at the Gathering can affect individual judgment, leaving persons open to exploitation or to consenting to actions they would not engage in at home.
Further, couples tend to give less attention to group activities and other participants. Sexual activity intensifies this distraction and brings further isolation from the group.
Those who are sexual partners prior to the Gathering indicate by their attendance their agreement to remain celibate during the week, in order to participate on the same basis as others.
4. Smoking guidelines are determined by the High School Business Meeting.
Please see the attached sheet for complete information.
5. No one is to visit at any time in the High School Dorm who is not registered for the FGC Gathering. This is not only a High School Program guideline but a Gathering policy as well.
Reason: We have no commitment on the part of non-registrants to respect the purpose of the program, nor have we control over their conduct. In the past we have had disruptions.
6. High School Dorm residents are to be in the dorm by midnight each night for check-in. Only High Schoolers and staff can be in the dorm after this time. The Business Meeting will decide whether to allow Young Adult Friends to join us for the midnight videos. After check-in, participants can either
be in their room or in designated lounge areas until 2:00am. After 2:00am, all residents are to be in their assigned rooms.
Reason: Counselors must know that their counselees are in for the night. The midnight check-in allows counselors to go to bed at a reasonable hour. The 2:00am curfew provides a check on a natural tendency to talk and play all night, which can result in burnout and reduced participation in the program.
7. All participants must attend their workshop and their support group each day unless excused by their counselor. You are expected to arrive on time and to stay until the activity is over.
Reason: The workshop provides the main focus for the week. The support group is a place for giving and receiving support, getting to know a few people well and for keeping informed about events and activities. Sporadic attendance or late arrival can disrupt the process and lower the trust level
in the group.
8. During High School Program quiet hours, set by the Business Meeting, participants are not to play music or talk loudly in the High School Program dorm. Outside of the dorm, all-gathering quiet-hours are from 11:00 pm-7:00 am and should always be respected.
Reason: Everyone is to have time to sleep or relax in quiet.
9. High School Dorm residents may visit in other rooms at all times except between the hours of 12am and 7am, when you are expected to be in your own room. Doors are to be kept open when visitors are in the room.
Reason: Privacy and the need for sleep must be respected. Keeping doors open is a sign that the host values the community's respect, and strengthens the community's trust in one another.
10. All participants in the High School Program must attend the orientation sessions. Parents/sponsors must attend the first session.
Reason: It is important that everyone be familiar with the program, and that each person participates in the decision-making that sets the tone for the week.
11. No fireworks or sparklers. This is not only a High School Program guideline but a Gathering policy as well.
12. At the close of the Gathering, all rooms are to be cleaned by the persons using them. Approval by the designated counselor is required before leaving the Gathering.
Reason: No one is to leave their room in a condition requiring cleaning by others. Additional fees may be imposed by the University. Such fees can be required to be paid by the participant, the sponsor or the family.
